Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Steinhagen's salvinia

Ray Linderman (in water) and David Weeks (in boat) secure a separation boom near an outgrowth of Giant Salvinia (Salvinia molesta) on Steinhagen Lake on Thursday, June 21, 2007. The Cherokee Unit boat launch of Martin Dies Jr. State Park has been closed until the Giant Salvinia is removed.

Howard Elder, an aquatic habitat biologist with Texas Parks and Wildlife, talks about the dangers of allowing Giant Salvinia to grow. Giant Salvinia doubles its mass each seven days and kills all other water life.

A sign in Howard Elder's office warns of transporting Giant Salvinia in Texas. It is a federal crime to possess the South American native plant. The plant is a significant problem on other Texas lakes.